COMPARISON OF NUMERICAL-ANALYSIS OF LINEAR AND POSTBUCKLING BEHAVIOR OF CFRP T-STIFFENERS WITH EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS

Numerical predictions of linear buckling and post-buckling behavior of CFRP T-stiffeners are conducted by Finite Element Analysis. Such beha vior is crucially important in aircraft structural design. Comparison between numerical predictions and experimental behavior is executed in detail. Width-to-thickness ratio in flange or web mainly governs line ar buckling stresses. Inserted filler along the intersection line betw een flange and web also considerably affects the linear buckling behav ior. By taking realistic initial imperfection into account, geometrica l nonlinear analysis provides fairly descriptive post-buckling deflect ion behavior in flange and web. It is also possible to predict the fin al failure stress by assuming simple failure criteria and non-progress ive failure.